My Spider-Man Is Diverse

Pop culture history will be made tomorrow as Ultimate ComicsFallout #4 hits shelves and introduces readers to the all-new Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. With the death of Peter Parker in June 2011, all eyes were once again on the Ultimate Comics Universe, as mainstream media and fans alike speculated just who Marvel would put under the mask of this beloved hero. That’s right, for the first time ever, someone other than Peter Parker (his clone Ben Reilly or Miguel O’Hara) will be Spider-Man!

“It’s certainly long overdue,” Bendis says. “Even though there’s some amazing African-American and minority characters bouncing around in all the superhero universes, it’s still crazy lopsided.”

A USA Today story broke the news and reveals that yes, Donald Glover’s campaign to play Spider-Man was an influence on writer Brian Michael Bendis, although only as an indication that previous discussions about relaunching Spider-man as a non-white character were on the right track.

All of you folks who have been crying about diversity in comics had better be all over this! Marvel has revealed that the new Ultimate Spider-man will be Hispanic/African-American teenager Miles Morales.

Courtesy of Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 begins the story that’ll have everyone talking for years to come!

This wouldn’t be the first time in the Ultimate Universe that a historically white character is now being portrayed by someone of a different ethnicity. Unlike Nick Fury, however, Miles is an entirely new character. Regardless, the change is welcome.

“When the opportunity arose to create a new Spider-Man, we knew it had to be a character that represents the diversity—in background and experience—of the twenty-first century,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in Chief.

“Miles is a character who not only follows in the tradition of relatable characters like Peter Parker, but also shows why he’s a new, unique kind of Spider-Man—and worthy of that name.”

But just what are the secrets behind Miles’ shocking abilities? What’s his connection to the original Spider-Man? And just why does he wear that costume?